Jordi Fernández has made clear he wants the Nets to play at a faster pace, a philosophy that began to take shape in his first season as head coach. That starts with having a roster of floor generals who can execute consistently without running out of gas.
While the team drew criticism for drafting four ball handlers in June — three of them point guards — and then adding another in Kobe Bufkin before training camp, Brooklyn believes it now has the personnel to fully realize Fernández’s high-tempo vision.
With that, the Nets’ point guard battle is officially underway. Just two days into camp, the guards are learning quickly what that competition will require.
“It’s fast, you better be in shape,” Bufkin said. “I’m glad I was in shape when I came in.”
The Nets’ point guard struggles last season were no secret, and the stats told the story. They ranked 29th in the NBA in points per game (105.1), 28th in pace (96.73), 24th in assists (25.2), 23rd in turnovers (15.2), 23rd in fast break points (14.3) and 28th in points in the paint (43.5).
It underscores a team that lacked stability at the position. Whether it was Ben Simmons, Dennis Schröder, D’Angelo Russell or Keon Johnson running the show, the Nets struggled to generate offense efficiently or with pace while turning the ball over far too often. Their failure to generate transition chances or score inside served as a constant reminder of what the team lacked.
That’s why Brooklyn leaned into a guard-heavy draft class. The approach is simple: bring in as many as possible, let competition sort it out, and hope one emerges as the long-term answer at point guard.
“I don’t think you ever have enough ball handlers,” Fernandez said. “Making plays for others is always important. Obviously, you need players that are able to take multiple attempts and score in bunches, but those are easier to defend if you don’t have paint touches and the ball reversals that really move the defense side-to-side. So right now, with all that playmaking and size, it just makes it way better.”
Part of what makes this position battle compelling is the variety of skills each guard brings to the floor. Egor Demin, like Simmons, brings rare size and playmaking to the position. Nolan Traore is a blur in transition, while Ben Saraf takes a more deliberate, methodical approach. Bufkin, the only one with prior NBA experience, arrives in Brooklyn with a stronger feel for the league’s pace and physicality.
Who gets the starting nod matters less than how the group functions together. There will be moments when a guard is asked to steer the offense alone, and others when multiple ball handlers share the floor. The challenge for Fernández will be blending those styles into a system that keeps the offense moving.
“We have a lot to sift from; a lot of guys can handle the ball,” Terance Mann said. “So, I don’t think it’s just going to be one guy doing all the work running the team. It’s going to probably have to be multiple dudes with that job.”
What’s clear is the guard who commits most on defense will have the clearest path to steady minutes. For Fernández, playing fast is just as much about applying pressure on the defensive end as it is about pushing the pace on offense.
“Defense has been the main vocal point,” Bufkin said. “You have to find a way to stop people.”
